Nicosia, Cyprus. Inspections of Turkish Cypriot halloumi producers will begin to enable exports across the Green Line and into the wider European Union, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said on Thursday.
Inspections and PDO framework
Erhurman said in a social media post that legislation allowing halloumi to be exported across the Green Line as a protected designation of origin (PDO) product entered into force in 2021, but no inspectors were appointed in the following five years to certify producers and allow exports.
He said Paris’ Bureau Veritas has been appointed to carry out the inspections and is authorised to inspect the requirements specified in the regulation enabling the trade of halloumi via the Green Line.
Erhurman said the appointment removes an important hurdle to allow halloumi, described as one of the Turkish Cypriot community’s most important export products, to access European Union countries indirectly, if not directly, via the Green Line.
He said his office would continue efforts to complete remaining stages, overcome internal and external issues, and ensure trade begins as soon as possible.
Producers listed on EU PDO register
Four Turkish Cypriot producers are listed on the EU’s PDO register: Gulgun, located in the Nicosia district village of Epicho; Arden, located in the Nicosia suburb of Mia Milia; Garanti, located in the Nicosia district village of Argaki; and Meric, located in the Nicosia district village of Mora.
EU position and funding
A European Commission spokesperson previously told the Cyprus Mail that exports of Turkish Cypriot halloumi will begin once the Turkish Cypriot community reaches required EU food safety and animal health standards.
The commission provided €6.5 million last year to increase Turkish Cypriot halloumi producers’ compliance with the EU’s PDO requirements. A European Commission spokesperson said at the time that the programme seeks to facilitate Cyprus’ reunification by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community.
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